“Probably one of my best matches” – Alcaraz speaks boldly about future on grass after Medvedev demolition
Carlos Alcaraz delivered a brutal performance on Friday afternoon, defeating Daniil Medvedev in a match that he described as one of his best
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Carlos Alcaraz has delivered a pre-final warning shot to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon 2023, dismantling world No 3 Daniil Medvedev in under two hours with some of his most fearsome tennis yet.
Following his 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 demolition job in the men’s singles second semi-final, Alcaraz has declared that he’s playing at “a great level” and this was “probably one of my best matches, not only on grass but on the tour.”
In what was only the 20-year-old’s third Grand Slam semi-final, has the young Spaniard peaked at the perfect time in Wimbledon 2023?
Destructive Alcaraz declares “grass could become my best surface”
Two years ago, a young Carlos Alcaraz stepped onto the grass of Wimbledon to face world No 2 Daniil Medvedev. The second round encounter was short and sharp, with Alcaraz only managing seven games before being sent packing in straight sets.
Fast forward to 2023, and Alcaraz looks like a different man on the grass, moving and defending with ease, while maintaining his trademark attacking tennis.
Speaking after his semi-final thumping of Medvedev this year, the 20-year-old revealed how he’s feeling about his game on the grass now:
“[I] played great today,” declared Alcaraz. “I thought a really good level, tennis level and tactical level as well. Was one of my best matches on grass right now.
“It was amazing for me. I showed a great level.”
The Spaniard went on to explain that he’s feeling more and more comfortable on the grass, even positing that “grass could become my best surface,” with a wry smile.
Parallels to Indian Wells, Madrid victories for Alcaraz
After only a few years of having Carlos Alcaraz on tour, we’re already gaining a significant highlights reel of the 20-year-old putting top quality players to the sword.
With 27 winners to 17 unforced errors across the three set match, and a total of 91 points won to Daniil Medvedev’s 68, this was perhaps one of Alcaraz’s most dominant displays yet.
The nature of this victory brings back memories of some of Alcaraz’s earlier performances as a teenager. The Indian Wells title in March 2023 comes to mind, where he defeated Medvedev 6-3, 6-2 in the final, as does his run at Madrid 2022 where he beat Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in consecutive matches, before dispatching Alexander Zverev for the loss of only four games in the final.
“I rate 8 from 10” – Alcaraz happy with performance, but has more to give
Speaking after this match, Alcaraz himself has confessed that his level was brilliant.
“During this period of 6-3, 6-3, 3-0, I had a brutal level,” the world No 1 said.
Giving his own analysis of his performance, Alcaraz has declared, “I rate like 8 from 10, something like that.”
If this was Alcaraz at 80%, then fans around the world will be licking their lips in anticipation of what the Spaniard’s level looks like when he’s firing on all cylinders against Novak Djokovic on Sunday.
The Serbian also made light work of his semi-final opponent, defeating Italian Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the first semi-final of the day on Friday.
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